RUNNING BACK WHERE HE BELONGS

Horace Dodd's plan went something like this: Go to Penn State. Become one of the best players in college football.

He would assume his role in the Nittany Lions backfield and, as he put it, "be this big-time running back."

That was the plan. His future was seemingly half written. All Dodd had to do was provide the details with his running. Three years later, Dodd has yet to take his first handoff. And now that it's not far off, he is relishing an opportunity that was once an afterthought.

"It's just a blessing," Dodd said. "A blessing."

Dodd, a Hamden native who transferred from Penn State to Boston College last year, has emerged from three candidates to be the Eagles' starting tailback. He will carry the ball often Saturday in BC's opener at home against UConn.

"We knew coming in that he was a very good athlete," BC coach Tom O'Brien said. "He's very elusive when he runs, but he runs with speed and he runs with power. ... We felt that he would be the best back for us."

In putting on the maroon jersey and gold helmet for the first time, Dodd will shed three years of frustration. His football career has taken him from Hamden to State College to Chestnut Hill, but the longest journey was the one back to the other side of the football.

His two years at Penn State were spent trying to convince coach Joe Paterno to use him as a running back. Paterno wanted to mold Dodd into a linebacker.

"From day one, they moved me to the defensive side of the ball," Dodd said. "They were grooming me to back up LaVar Arrington, but I hadn't even played linebacker in high school. I was really hurt. I'm a running back."

Dodd is a 1999 graduate of Hamden High, where he rushed for 4,388 yards and 53 touchdowns despite playing only four games as a junior. He gained more than 2,100 yards as a senior.

Penn State was impressed enough to offer Dodd a scholarship before his senior season. Quarterback Chris Simms, who ended up at Texas, was the only other player offered a scholarship by the school that early. Shortly after arriving, Dodd learned he and Paterno would not see eye to eye.

Dodd, 6 feet 1, 207 pounds, went along with the plans but hoped they would change. He stayed at linebacker in his 1999 redshirt season, all the while making clear his desire to carry the football. Paterno used Dodd as a running back in spring practice before again assigning him to defense the next season.

His only visit to a backfield in a Penn State uniform would be when he made his one career sack in 2000. He played in 11 games that year and had 18 tackles.

It was time to go.

"At times it was very difficult," Dodd said. "After freshman year, I was thinking about transferring and I let [Paterno] know. He said I would have the opportunity to play running back, but it never worked out. I felt betrayed. They moved me right back to defense. But, that's their job. I understand they have to find the right people for the right positions. No hard feelings."

Dodd transferred to BC and sat out last season. He practiced with the team and adapted to O'Brien's system, which, behind traditionally strong offensive lines, emphasizes the running game.

William Green, the starting tailback last year, left early for the NFL, opening the door for Dodd, Derrick Knight and Brandon Brokaw. Knight backed up Green last season, but Dodd had the best preseason.

Dodd had to reacquaint himself with his natural position, and do so while strengthening a left knee injured in practice shortly before the Music City Bowl last December. He said he feels 100 percent but had no idea whether he had done enough to distinguish himself in preseason practice.

Sunday afternoon, O'Brien pulled the three running backs aside and told them Dodd would be the starter.

Dodd said the three players then spoke alone, reassuring one another that each will have a significant role.

"I feel that any one of us could have been the starter," Dodd said. "Plus, Coach says it doesn't matter who starts, it matters who finishes."

O'Brien said the decision was not easy.

"[Dodd] has done a great job picking up the offense in a quick time frame," he said. "He can catch the football, and he's done an excellent job in the passing game when we've thrown him the ball. ... We will see where Derrick Knight and Brandon Brokaw fit into the game after that. Horace should not be looking over his shoulder. He's the tailback, he's going to start the football game, he's going to play. It's a long season, but who knows what's going to be around by the 12th game of the year."

By that time, Dodd expects to have established himself as a premier back. Despite not having carried the ball in a game in more than three years, he is optimistic.

"I don't set any statistical goals," Dodd said. "But I don't want to be mediocre. Our offensive line is so good, 1,000 yards should be easy. So, I want to take it a step further. It's a demanding position. I'm stepping into some big shoes. [Green] left a big void. But he taught me how to work. If you can imitate and mimic that, you'll be all right."